Magnetically coupled wireless charging system for mobile device

ABSTRACT

A wireless charging system including a protective case for a mobile device configured for wireless charging. The protective case includes a first plurality of magnets and a wireless charger having a first front side and a first back side. The wireless charger further includes a charging pad and a second plurality of magnets on the first front side wherein the second plurality of magnets are magnetically coupled to the first plurality of magnets. The first plurality of magnets and the second plurality of magnets are arranged so that the wireless charger self-aligns in a desired position when attached to the protective case and transmits energy through the protective case into the mobile device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.16/583,166, filed Sep. 25, 2019, which claims the benefit of priorityunder 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.62/736,379, entitled INTERPOSABLE MAGNETICALLY COUPLED DEVICES, filed onSep. 25, 2018, the disclosures of each of which are incorporated hereinby reference in their entirety for all purposes. This application isrelated to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/583,168, entitled“INTERPOSABLE MAGNETICALLY COUPLED DEVICES,” filed Sep. 25, 2019, thedisclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entiretyfor all purposes.

BACKGROUND

Cell phones are an essential part of many people's lives and frequentlycarried by people throughout the day. Cell phones can providenavigation, entertainment, and function as a camera in addition to theirprimary purpose as a telecommunications device. Like cell phones,wallets are an integral part of daily life. Wallets come in a variety ofsizes and configurations for organizing and securing credit cards, cash,checks, identification, photos, and other possessions.

A cell phone and wallet are the two important items that people carrywith them throughout their day. These items can get buried in one'spurse, fall between the seats of a vehicle, and otherwise becomedisplaced. When driving, it is important to have a cell phone at theready in case navigation is required without having to search for it.Also it is sometimes necessary to have one's wallet close by to paytolls or swipe a badge to enter a parking garage. In addition, a batterypack or wireless charger may be needed for recharging of the cell phoneand plug-in charging is unavailable. Thus, a need exists to betterarrange one's cell phone, wallet and other related accessories.

SUMMARY

The embodiments described herein relate generally to mobile electronicdisplay device accessories and mounts and, more specifically, to amounting system that can be used to easily mount and unmount mobileelectronic display devices and related accessories to each other and tovarious surfaces in various stacked and other configurations and invarious orientations (e.g., landscape and portrait). Such accessoriesmay include, for example, wallets, battery packs, wireless chargers,kickstands, finger loops and combinations thereof. In particular, theembodiments described herein utilize magnetic coupling to facilitaterapid mounting and unmounting of such accessories to and from mobileelectronic display devices.

In one aspect the disclosure relates to a mobile device accessoryincluding an accessory device having a surface. An arrangement ofmagnets of alternating polarity are included within the accessory deviceor attached to the surface. The arrangement of magnets are magneticallycoupleable to a device-side attachment including a plurality of magnets.The device-side attachment may be attached to a mobile device or part ofa protective case for the mobile device. The plurality of magnets mayinclude a first plurality of magnets arranged in a first direction and asecond plurality of magnets arranged in a second direction, therebyenabling the accessory device to be disposed in different orientationswhen magnetically coupled to the device-side attachment. When thedevice-side attachment is part of a protective case for a mobile device,the different orientations may include a portrait orientation and alandscape orientation relative to the mobile device.

The disclosure is also directed to a mobile device accessory systemincluding a first accessory device having a first front side and a firstback side. The first accessory device includes a first plurality ofalternating polarity magnets on the first front side and a secondplurality of alternating polarity magnets on the first back side. Asecond accessory device has a second front side and a second back side,the second accessory device having a third plurality of alternatingpolarity magnets on the second front side and a fourth plurality ofalternating polarity magnets on the second back side. The firstaccessory device is magnetically coupled to a device-side attachmentassociated with a mobile device and is interposed between thedevice-side attachment and the second accessory device. The secondplurality of alternating polarity magnets may be aligned with andmagnetically coupled to the third plurality of alternating polaritymagnets.

In addition, the second accessory device may be interposed between thefirst accessory device and a surface-side attachment including a fifthplurality of alternating polarity magnets. In this case the fourthplurality of alternating polarity magnets are magnetically coupled tothe fifth plurality of alternating polarity magnets.

In another aspect the disclosure pertains to a system including a firstplurality of alternating plurality magnets attached to a protective casefor a mobile device. A first accessory device has a first front side anda first back side, the first accessory device having a second pluralityof alternating polarity magnets on the first front side and a thirdplurality of alternating polarity magnets on the first back side. Thesecond plurality of alternating polarity magnets are magneticallycoupled to the first plurality of alternating polarity magnets. A secondaccessory device has a second front side and a second back side, thesecond accessory device having a fourth plurality of alternatingpolarity magnets on the second front side and a fifth plurality ofalternating polarity magnets on the second back side. The fourthplurality of alternating polarity magnets are magnetically coupled tothe third plurality of alternating polarity magnets.

The system may further include a third accessory device having a thirdfront side and a third back side. The third accessory device includes asixth plurality of alternating polarity magnets on the third front sideand a seventh plurality of alternating polarity magnets on the thirdback side. The sixth plurality of alternating polarity magnets aremagnetically coupled to the fifth plurality of alternating polaritymagnets. In one implementation the first accessory device, the secondaccessory device and the third accessory device are configured in astack. In addition, the first accessory device, the second accessorydevice and the third accessory device are configured to be able to bemoved to different positions in the stack.

In another aspect the disclosure relates to an accessory wallet for usewith a mobile electronic device. The wallet includes a layered frontsection including a plurality of front layers. The wallet furtherincludes a layered back section including a plurality of back layerswherein the layered front side and the layered back side are arranged toform a compartment. A plurality of magnets are disposed on at least oneof the plurality of front layers and one of the plurality of backlayers. This arrangement of magnets renders the wallet magneticallycoupleable to at least one of an external object and an externalsurface.

The plurality of front layers of the wallet may include a front portionand a front support and the plurality of back layers may include a backportion and a back support. The plurality of front layers may furtherinclude a metallic front shield and the plurality of back layers mayfurther include a metallic back shield. In this case the metallic frontshield and the metallic back shield form opposing surfaces of thecompartment.

The disclosure is further directed to a mounting system including adevice-side attachment having a first plurality of magnets disposed in aprotective cover for an electronic device. The mounting system furtherincludes a wallet including a second plurality of magnets and a thirdplurality of magnets wherein at least one of the first plurality ofmagnets is arranged to attractively couple with at least one of thesecond plurality of magnets. A surface-side attachment includes a fourthplurality of magnets arranged to attractively couple to the thirdplurality of magnets.

The wallet may be configured with a layered front section and a layeredback section arranged to form a compartment. The second plurality ofmagnets may be disposed within the layered front section and the thirdplurality of magnets may be disposed within the layered back section.

The disclosure further pertains to a system including a device-sideattachment having a first plurality of magnets disposed in a protectivecover for an electronic device. The system also includes a wallet havinga layered front section, a layered back section and a second pluralityof magnets where the layered front section and the layered back sectionform a compartment. The first plurality of magnets are arranged toattractively couple with the second plurality of magnets.

The mounting systems disclosed herein may include a surface-sideattachment affixed to a surface including a nonmagnetic surface anddevice-side attachment coupled to the electronic display device asdescribed in the above-referenced U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/059,163. While it is recognized that the surface-side attachment canbe affixed to a ferromagnetic surface, the present mounting system isespecially suitable for nonmagnetic surfaces. In one implementation, aplurality of magnets is embedded within the surface-side attachment.Alternatively, a plurality of magnets may be directly attached to thenonmagnetic surface that is covered by a protective housing. In anotherimplementation, the surface-side attachment is integrated into thenonmagnetic surface during its manufacture.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a wallet with extended loop, accordingto an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a wallet with retracted loop, accordingto an embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective, exploded view of a wallet, according to anembodiment.

FIG. 4 is an exploded, perspective view of a wallet including exemplarymaterials of construction, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a partially assembled wallet including adetail of exemplary materials of construction, according to anembodiment.

FIGS. 6 and 7 are perspective, hidden views of a wallet includingplacement of magnets therein, according to embodiments.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are views of a back portion and front portion of wallet, according to an embodiments.

FIG. 9 is a view of a user holding a wallet, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a wallet attached to an electronicdisplay device case, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 11 is an exploded view of an electronic display device case, awallet, and a magnetic surface-side attachment, according to anembodiment.

FIG. 12 is a view of a wallet interposed between an electronic displaydevice case and a magnetic surface-side attachment, according to anembodiment.

FIG. 13A is a front view of an electronic display device case.

FIGS. 13B-13D are cross-sectional views of the electronic display devicecase of FIG. 13A, a wallet, and a magnetic surface-side attachment,respectively.

FIGS. 14A and 14B are views of a back portion of wallet attached to anelectronic display device case, according to an embodiments.

FIGS. 15A and 15B are views of a front portion an electronic displaydevice case including electronic display device case magnets, accordingto an embodiments.

FIGS. 16A and 16B are hidden views of a back portion of wallet attachedto an electronic display device case showing exemplary positions ofelectronic display device case magnets, according to an embodiments.

FIGS. 17A and 17B are views of a back portion of wallet attached to anelectronic display device case, according to an embodiments.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a wallet interposed between anelectronic display device case and a magnetic surface-side attachment,according to an embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a charging device, according to anembodiment.

FIG. 20 is a side view of a charging device with extended loop,according to an embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a charging device including power port,according to an embodiment.

FIG. 22 is an exploded, perspective view of an electronic display devicecase, a charging device, and a magnetic surface-side attachment attachedto a vehicle dash, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of an electronic display device case, acharging device, and a magnetic surface-side attachment attached to avehicle dash, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 24 is a view of a user holding a wallet using the loop, accordingto an embodiment.

FIGS. 25-28 are perspective views of a wallet functioning as akickstand, according to embodiments.

FIGS. 29-32 are perspective views of a wallet functioning as anadjustable kickstand, according to embodiments.

FIGS. 33 and 34 are partially transparent rear views of a battery packwith wireless charging and a protective cover for an electronic device.

FIGS. 35 and 36 are partially transparent rear views of a battery packwith wireless charging and a protective cover for an electronic device.

FIGS. 37 and 38 are perspective views of a charging device interposedbetween a protective case for a mobile device and a surface-sideattachment, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 39 is a side view of a stacked arrangement of magnetically-coupledaccessories for a mobile device, according to an embodiment.

FIGS. 40A, 40C, and 40E are perspective views of a surface with asurface-side attachment, according to an embodiment.

FIGS. 40B, 40D, and 40F show front views of a surface-side attachment.

FIGS. 41A to 41D are front views of multiple device-side attachmentsembedded in the interior of a protective case for an electronic displaydevice, according to an embodiment.

FIGS. 42A to 42D show multiple views of an embodiment of a protectivecase mounted in a landscape orientation.

FIGS. 42E to 42F show multiple views of an embodiment of an electronicdisplay device mounted in a landscape orientation.

FIG. 42G is another prospective view of electronic display device withina protective case that is mounted to a surface.

FIGS. 43A to 43I depict examples of self-aligning arrangements ofoutwardly-facing magnet poles for use in device-side attachments and insurface-side attachments.

FIGS. 43J to 43L depict examples of self-aligning arrangements ofmagnets for device-side attachments and for surface-side attachmentsincluding ferrous inserts “Fe”

FIG. 44A is a prospective view of three surface-side attachments.

FIG. 44B is a prospective view of a surface-side attachment includingthree magnets within a surface-side attachment housing.

FIG. 44C is a front view of a surface-side attachment including threemagnets within a surface-side attachment housing.

FIG. 45 is a prospective view of three surface-side attachments.

FIG. 46 is a prospective view of a surface-side attachment includingfive magnets and a surface-side attachment housing further including anangled face.

FIG. 47 is a prospective view of a surface-side attachment includingseven magnets within a surface-side attachment housing.

FIG. 48 is a prospective view of a surface-side attachment includingseven magnets within a surface-side attachment housing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood tocontrol over dictionary definitions, definitions in documentsincorporated by reference, and/or ordinary meanings of the definedterms.

The indefinite articles “a” and “an,” as used herein in thespecification and in the claims, unless clearly indicated to thecontrary, should be understood to mean “at least one.”

The phrase “and/or,” as used herein in the specification and in theclaims, should be understood to mean “either or both” of the elements soconjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some casesand disjunctively present in other cases. Multiple elements listed with“and/or” should be construed in the same fashion, i.e., “one or more” ofthe elements so conjoined. Other elements may optionally be presentother than the elements specifically identified by the “and/or” clause,whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified.Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to “A and/or B”, when usedin conjunction with open-ended language such as “comprising” can refer,in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including elements other thanB); in another embodiment, to B only (optionally including elementsother than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionallyincluding other elements); etc.

As used herein in the specification and in the claims, “or” should beunderstood to have the same meaning as “and/or” as defined above. Forexample, when separating items in a list, “or” or “and/or” shall beinterpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the inclusion of at least one, butalso including more than one, of a number or list of elements, and,optionally, additional unlisted items. Only terms clearly indicated tothe contrary, such as “only one of” or “exactly one of,” or, when usedin the claims, “consisting of” will refer to the inclusion of exactlyone element of a number or list of elements. In general, the term “or”as used herein shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusivealternatives (i.e. “one or the other but not both”) when preceded byterms of exclusivity, such as “either,” “one of” “only one of” or“exactly one of ” “Consisting essentially of,” when used in the claims,shall have its ordinary meaning as used in the field of patent law.

As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the phrase “atleast one,” in reference to a list of one or more elements, should beunderstood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more ofthe elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including atleast one of each and every element specifically listed within the listof elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the listof elements. This definition also allows that elements may optionally bepresent other than the elements specifically identified within the listof elements to which the phrase “at least one” refers, whether relatedor unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as anon-limiting example, “at least one of A and B” (or, equivalently, “atleast one of A or B,” or, equivalently “at least one of A and/or B”) canrefer, in one embodiment, to at least one, optionally including morethan one, A, with no B present (and optionally including elements otherthan B); in another embodiment, to at least one, optionally includingmore than one, B, with no A present (and optionally including elementsother than A); in yet another embodiment, to at least one, optionallyincluding more than one, A, and at least one, optionally including morethan one, B (and optionally including other elements); etc.

In the claims, as well as in the specification above, all transitionalphrases such as “comprising,” “including,” “carrying,” “having,”“containing,” “involving,” “holding,” “composed of,” and the like are tobe understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limitedto. Only the transitional phrases “consisting of” and “consistingessentially of” shall be closed or semi-closed transitional phrases,respectively, as set forth in the United States Patent Office Manual ofPatent Examining Procedures, Section 2111.03.

As used herein in the specification and in the claims, an “electronicdisplay device” should be understood to mean any electronic device orany display device including cell phones, computer tablets, phablets,electronic organizers, personal digital assistant, navigation devices(GPS), radar detectors, garage door openers, remote controls, wirelessmicrophones and/or speakers, cameras, video recorders, music players,controllers and microcomputers. While the mounting system describedherein is intended for electronic display devices, it should beunderstood that the mounting system is suitable for any object ofsimilar size and dimensions as an electronic display device.

As used herein in the specification and in the claims, a “wallet” shouldbe understood to mean any apparatus for holding at least one of a creditcard, cash, identification, a check, a badge, a picture, a key, a pieceof paper, a coupon, business cards, and combinations thereof. While thewallet described herein is intended for containing the aforementioneditems, it should be understood that a wallet is also suitable forcontaining any objects of similar size and dimensions as these items.While the wallet's contents are generally described as credit cards, itshould be understood that a wallet can carry any number of the

As used herein in the specification and in the claims, “outward” or“outwardly,” should be understood to mean facing away from of an objector surface, rather than facing toward an object or surface to which itis affixed. The outward faces of the attachments are designed to coupleto each other and can have complementary physical features whichinteract with each other. When the device-side attachment is mounted tothe surface-side attachment, the outward face of the surface-sideattachment is coupled to the outward face of device-side attachment.

As used herein in the specification and in the claims, “front” and“back,” should be understood to mean facing away toward or away from auser during interaction with the object. For example, the a wallet maybe held in a person's hand with a finger extended through the loop orfinger strap, which is on the back side of the wallet, and the frontside of the wallet faces the user.

Each embodiment in this specification is to be applied mutatis mutandisto every other embodiment unless expressly stated otherwise.

In some embodiments, a wallet is magnetically coupleable to a caseconfigured to contain an electronic display device is described herein.In some embodiments, a wallet is magnetically coupleable to a magneticmount configured to attach to a surface is described herein. In someembodiments, a wallet is interposable between electronic display deviceand a magnetic surface mount is described herein.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a wallet 100 with loop (finger strap)115 in an extended position, according to an embodiment. Wallet 100includes a back portion 110, left portion 130, top portion 150, and abottom portion 160. Loop 115, also referred to as a finger strap, isshow in an extended position with a portion of a plurality of creditcards 10 visible through loop slot 116. Loop 115 provides a user with asecure grip on wallet 100.

In some embodiments, a Wallet 100 holds a plurality of credit cards 10in an amount from 1 to 8 credit cards, in an amount of at least 2 creditcards, in an amount of at least 5 credit cards, in an amount from 3 to10 credit cards, in an amount from 2 to 8 credit cards, in an amountfrom 3 to 8 credit cards, in an amount from 4 to 8 credit cards, and/orin an amount from 3 to 8 credit cards.

In some embodiments, a Wallet 100 has overall dimensions of 70 mmwide×90 mm tall, and 4 mm to 10 mm thick depending on credit cards 10contained therein.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a wallet 100 with loop 115 in aretracted position, according to an embodiment. Loop 115 flattens to fitwithin loop slot 116. In some embodiments, loop slot 116 allows the loop115 to flatten within loop slot 116 such that loop 115 is substantiallyflush with back portion 110 forming a substantially planerconfiguration. In some embodiments, loop slot 116 allows only a firstportion of loop 115 to flatten within loop slot 116 such that a secondportion of loop 115 protrudes from a plane defined by the back portion110.

FIG. 3 is an perspective, exploded view of a wallet 100, according to anembodiment. Wallet 100 includes a back support 112 and a front support122. Back support 112 and front support 122 can provide stiffness andrigidity to wallet 100. Back support 112 and front support 122 can alsoprovide a substrate for attaching back-side magnets 119, and front-sidebottom magnets 128 and front-side top magnets 129. Back shield 113 andfront shield 123 protect magnetically sensitive credit cards fromexposure to the magnetic fields created by back-side magnets 119,front-side bottom magnets 128, and front-side top magnets 129. Exemplaryconfigurations of back-side magnets 119, front-side bottom magnets 128,and front-side top magnets 129 are disclosed in U.S. Publication No.2016-0260532, and in particular the disclosure of the device-sideattachments that provide self-alignment with surface-side attachments.To assemble wallet 100, back portion 110 and front portion 120 arefolded about an axis to form a compartment for storing credit cards 10.An optional divider 125 separates a one compartment into twocompartments. In some embodiments, wallet 100 includes one or moredividers. A divider is a useful means to separate the credit cards fromthe cash bills and other contents of the wallet 100.

FIG. 4 is an exploded, perspective view of a wallet 100 includingexemplary materials of construction, according to an embodiment. Divider125 can be made from materials such as plastic, cardboard, paper, metal,composites, laminations, and combinations thereof. Back shield 113 andfront shield 123 can be made from magnetic field blocking materialsincluding metal, foil coated plastic, foil coated cardboard, carbonfilled composites, and combinations thereof. Back support 112 and frontsupport 122 can be made from materials such as plastic, cardboard,paper, metal, composites, laminations, and combinations thereof. Backportion 110 and front portion 120 can be made from a single substrateand folded together, or in other embodiments, back portion 110 and frontportion 120 can be made from two or more pieces and joined together.Back portion 110 and front portion 120 can be made from materials suchas plastic, leather, composites, laminations, fabric, syntheticmaterial, and combinations thereof.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a partially assembled wallet 100including a detail of exemplary materials of construction, according toan embodiment. Components can be bonded together with adhesive.

FIGS. 6 and 7 are perspective, hidden views of a wallet 100 includingplacement of magnets therein, according to embodiments. In FIG. 6, theback portion 110 is facing upwards, while in FIG. 7, the front portion120 is facing upwards. In these embodiments, only the front sideincludes magnets. In other embodiments, both the front side and the backside include magnets.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are views of a back portion and front portion of wallet, according to an embodiments. Wallet 100 includes a content removalslot 126 that facilitates the removal of credit cards 10. A user canplace their finger through the content removal slot 126 and slide creditcards 10 through the top portion 150 of wallet 100. Content removal slot126 also provides a window into the compartment of wallet 100 forvisually inspecting its contents.

FIG. 9 is a view of a user holding a wallet 100, according to anembodiment. Wallet 100 can hold a plurality of credit cards 10 in acompartment formed between front portion 120, back portion 110, bottomportion 160, top portion 150, left portion 130 and right portion 140.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the wallet 100 as attached to anelectronic display device case 200, according to an embodiment. Thefront portion 120 of wallet 100 is temporarily affixed to the back sideof electronic display device case 200 by magnetic attraction between themagnets embedded in the wallet 100 and magnets embedded in theelectronic display device case 200. Loop 115 allows a user to securelygrip the wallet 100, which in turn also provides a secure grip on theelectronic display device case 200. In this manner, loop 115 isremovable from the back side of the electronic display device case 200when wallet 100 is detached from the electronic display device case 200.Wallet 100 provides the added functionality of a convenient, removablegrip that allows a user to easily use electronic display device 250.Loop 115 (along with wallet 100), are quickly and easily removed forwirelessly charging electronic display device 250. After wirelesslycharging, Loop 115 (along with wallet 100), are quickly and easilyattached to the electronic display device case 200.

In these embodiments, wallet 100 is configured and designed to that itcan be used while attached to the electronic display device case 200.

FIG. 11 is an exploded view of an electronic display device case 200, awallet 100, and a magnetic surface-side attachment 300, according to anembodiment. The back side magnets 119 are configured to magneticallyalign and attach to surface-side attachment 300. The front-side topmagnets 129 and front-side bottom magnets 128, in turn, are configuredto magnetically align and attach to electronic display device case 200.

FIG. 12 is a view of a wallet 100 interposed between an electronicdisplay device case 200 and a magnetic surface-side attachment 300,according to an embodiment. In this manner, a single surface-sideattachment 300 is able to securely hold both a wallet and an electronicdisplay device case 200 (with electronic display device therein) at thesame time.

FIG. 13A is a front view of an electronic display device case 200. FIGS.13B-13D are cross-sectional views of the electronic display device case200, a wallet 100, and a magnetic surface-side attachment 300,respectively. In FIG. 13A, electronic display device case 200 isbisected by line AA, and the relative positions of electronic displaydevice case magnets (device-side attachments) 210 that are embeddedwithin the electronic display device case 200 can be seen in thecross-sectional view of FIG. 13B. The cross-sectional view of wallet 100also shows back-side magnets 119, front-side bottom magnets 128, andfront-side top magnets 129 embedded within the back portion 110 andfront portion 120, respectively.

FIGS. 14A and 14B are views of a back portion 110 of wallet 100 attachedto an electronic display device case 200, according to an embodiments.

FIGS. 15A and 15B are views of a front portion 120 an electronic displaydevice case 200 including electronic display device case magnets(device-side attachments) 210, according to an embodiments.

FIGS. 16A and 16B are hidden views of a back portion 110 of wallet 100attached to an electronic display device case 200 showing exemplarypositions of electronic display device case magnets (device-sideattachments) 210, according to an embodiments.

FIGS. 17A and 17B are views of a back portion 110 of wallet 100 attachedto an electronic display device case 200, according to an embodiments.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a wallet 100 interposed between anelectronic display device case 200 and a magnetic surface-sideattachment 300, according to an embodiment. In this embodiment, thesurface-side attachment 300 is affixed to a vehicle dash or dashboard400. In this manner, an electronic display device 250 and wallet 100 areat an arm's reach for a driver of the vehicle. Another advantage is thata single surface-side attachment 300 can be used to mount two items(i.e. a cell phone and wallet). In some embodiments, the electronicdisplay device 250 mounted to wallet 100 is in a portrait orientation.In some embodiments, the electronic display device 250 mounted to wallet100 is in a landscape orientation.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a charging device 500, according to anembodiment. Charging device 500 can have a configuration similar towallet 100 meaning that it can have similar physical dimensions as wellas the placement of the front-side bottom magnets 528, front-side topmagnets 529, and back-side magnets 519. Charging device 500 can be awireless charging device that transmits energy through an electronicdisplay device case 200 and into electronic display device 250 torecharge its battery. Charging device 500 can be a battery pack thatwirelessly transmits energy through an electronic display device case200 and into electronic display device 250 to recharge its battery. Insome embodiments, charging device 500 is a battery pack only. In someembodiments, charging device 500 is wireless charging device only. Insome embodiments, charging device 500 is both a battery pack and awireless charging device together.

FIG. 20 is a side view of a charging device 500 with loop 515 shown inan extended position, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a charging device 500 including powerport 511, according to an embodiment. Charging device 500 can beexternally powered through power port 511. For example, power port 511can be a USB connector that receive a cable that electrically couplescharging device 500 to a power supply such as a vehicle battery or poweroutlet.

In other embodiments, charging device 500 can be a battery pack thattransfers an electrical charge to an electronic display device 250through a cable connected to power port 511. In this manner, thecharging device 500 has a wired connection to electrically charge theelectronic display device 250.

FIG. 22 is an exploded, perspective view of an electronic display devicecase 200, a charging device 500, and a magnetic surface-side attachment300 attached to a vehicle dashboard 400, according to an embodiment.Charging device 500 is magnetically coupled to the back side ofelectronic display device case 200 and wirelessly charges electronicdisplay device 250. Power cable 512 is attached to power port 511. Inembodiments, power cable 512 electrically couples charging device 500 toa power source. In embodiments, power cable 512 electrically couplescharging device 500 to an electronic display device 250. The concentriccircles shown on charging device 500 represents a wireless charging pad,according to some embodiments.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a charging device 500 interposedbetween an electronic display device case 200 and a magneticsurface-side attachment 300 that is affixed to a vehicle dashboard 400,according to an embodiment. It should be noted and appreciated that oneor more charging devices 500 and/or wallets can be interposed between anelectronic display device case 200 and a magnetic surface-sideattachment 300. In this manner, multiple devices can be stacked one ontop of each other.

FIG. 24 is a view of a user holding a wallet 100 using the loop 115,according to an embodiment. Wallet 100 contains a plurality of creditcards 10 and is magnetically attracted to one or more device-sideattachments directly adhered to an electronic display device 250. Inthis embodiment, no electronic display case is used.

FIGS. 25-28 are perspective views of a wallet 100 functioning as akickstand to prop up electronic display device case 200, according toembodiments. The front-side top magnets 129 are attracted and coupled toelectronic display device case magnets 210, however, front-side bottommagnets 128 are positioned a distance apart from the electronic displaydevice case 200. In this manner, the wallet 100 form an upside down “V”shape with the electronic display device case 200 and functions as akickstand. The friction between the bottom of electronic display devicecase 200 and a horizontal surface, and the bottom portion 160 of wallet100 and a horizontal surface help retain the kickstand configuration.Charging device 500 has similar functionality to wallet 100 and canfunction as a kickstand. In some embodiments, charging device 500 is abattery pack and functions as a kickstand.

In FIG. 25, an electronic display device case 200 is in a portraitconfiguration. In FIGS. 26 and 27, an electronic display device case 200is in a landscape configuration. FIG. 28 is a picture of an electronicdisplay device case 200 is in a portrait configuration on a horizontalsurface 600.

FIGS. 29-32 are perspective views of a wallet 100 functioning as anadjustable kickstand to prop up electronic display device case 200,according to embodiments, according to embodiments. In theseembodiments, the wallet 100 is inverted such that a bottom portion 160of wallet 100 is attracted and coupled to electronic display device casemagnets (device-side attachments) 210. A plurality of credit cards 10can be extended through a top portion 150 of wallet 100 to adjust anangle 0 to position electronic display device case 200 in closer to avertical orientation. The top portion 150 of wallet 100 has sufficientfriction to grip a plurality of credit cards 10 and hold them in apartially extended position.

An electronic display device 250 can include a plurality of electricdisplay case magnets (device-side attachments) 210 coupled to theelectronic display device case 200 or directly to the electronic displaydevice without using a protective case. The electronic display device250 can be, for example, cellphone, a tablet computer, a smartphone, atelevision, or an LCD display. In some embodiments, the electronicdisplay device 400 can be an Apple iPad or iPhone, an Androidsmartphone, or eBook reader.

Magnets for the surface-side attachment 300 , wallet 100, chargingdevice 500, electronic display device case magnets (device-sideattachments) 210, and any other accessory configured to attach to thesedevices are preferably made out of rare earth metals including alloys ofneodymium or samarium-cobalt. Rare earth magnets are selected based ontheir strongly magnetic properties that include a higher maximum energyproduct (related to magnetic flux per unit volume) than other types ofmagnets including ferrite and alnico magnets. Neodymium magnets of gradeN48 and higher are preferred, and neodymium magnets of grade N52 andhigher are more preferred.

Magnets can generally be uniform or different in shape, size, magneticand/or other properties within surface-side attachment 300 , wallet 100,charging device 500, electronic display device case magnets (device-sideattachments) 210, and any other accessory configured to attach to thesedevices. While these magnets can be somewhat different in shape, size,magnetic and/or other properties, it is preferred that when mounted,each magnet is uniform in shape, size, magnetic and/or other propertiesto its complementary magnet.

The magnets for the surface-side attachment 300, wallet 100, chargingdevice 500, electronic display device case magnets (device-sideattachments) 210, and any other accessory configured to attach to thesedevice are arranged to be self-aligning during mounting. The magnets arearranged so that when the attachments are coupled together duringmounting, at least one magnet with an outwardly-facing north pole isattracted to a corresponding magnet with an outwardly-facing south pole,and vice versa.

Attention is now directed to FIGS. 33 and 34, which are partiallytransparent rear views of a battery pack with wireless charging 3300 anda protective cover 3310 for an electronic device. In FIG. 33, thebattery pack with wireless charging 3300 is separated from theprotective cover 3310. In FIG. 34, the battery pack with wirelesscharging 3300 is magnetically-coupled to the protective cover 3310 in aportrait mode configuration. For purposes of clarity, only coils 3312 ofan electronic device disposed within the protective cover 3310 areillustrated in FIG. 33. The battery pack with wireless charging 3300 canhave a configuration similar to wallet 100 meaning that it can havesimilar physical dimensions as well as similar placement of magnets.

As may be appreciated from FIG. 33, the coils 3302 and magnets 3304 ofthe battery pack with wireless charging 3300 are preferably configuredto mirror the arrangement of the coils 3312 of the electronic device andthe magnets 3314 of the protective cover 3310. Specifically, note that adistance D between the coils 3302 and the magnets 3304 of the batterypack with wireless charging 3300 is substantially identical to adistance D′ between the coils 3312 of the electronic device and themagnets 3314a of the protective cover 3310 (when the electronic deviceis disposed within the protective cover 3310). As a consequence, whenthe battery pack with wireless charging 3300 becomes connected to theprotective cover 3310 (FIG. 34), its coils 3302 align with the coils3312 of the electronic device so that energy may be transmitted throughthe protective cover 3310 and into the electronic device to recharge itsbattery.

Attention is now directed to FIGS. 35 and 36, which are partiallytransparent rear views of a battery pack with wireless charging 3500 anda protective cover 3510 for an electronic device. In FIG. 35, thebattery pack with wireless charging 3500 is separated from theprotective cover 3510. In FIG. 36, the battery pack with wirelesscharging 3500 is magnetically-coupled to the protective cover 3510 in alandscape mode configuration. For purposes of clarity, only coils 3512of an electronic device disposed within the protective cover 3510 areillustrated in FIG. 35.

As may be appreciated from FIG. 35, the coils 3502 and magnets 3504 ofthe battery pack with wireless charging 3500 are preferably configuredto mirror the arrangement of the coils 3512 of the electronic device andthe magnets 3514 of the protective cover 3510. Specifically, note that adistance L between the coils 3502 and the magnets 3504 of the batterypack with wireless charging 3500 is substantially identical to adistance L′ between the coils 3512 of the electronic device and themagnets 3514a of the protective cover 3510 (when the electronic deviceis disposed within the protective cover 3510). As a consequence, whenthe battery pack with wireless charging 3500 becomes connected to theprotective cover 3510 (FIG. 36), its coils 3502 align with the coils3512 of the electronic device so that energy may be transmitted throughthe protective cover 3510 and into the electronic device to recharge itsbattery.

In one embodiment the battery pack with wireless charging 3500 isimplemented as a unitary device. In other embodiments a battery pack maybe substituted for the battery pack with wireless charging 3500. In thiscase the battery pack would be connected by a cable or the like to theelectronic device. In still other embodiments the battery pack withwireless charging 3500 may be implemented as a battery pack mechanicallyor magnetically coupled to a wireless charger.

FIGS. 37 and 38 are perspective views of a charging device 3710interposed between a protective case 3720 for a mobile device 3730 and asurface-side attachment 3740, according to an embodiment. In theembodiment of FIGS. 37 and 38, the charging device is magnetically tothe protective case 3720 and to the surface-side attachment 3740 usingarrangements of alternating polarity magnets of the type disclosedherein. As shown, in the embodiment of FIG. 37 the charging device 3710is arranged in a landscape orientation relative to a direction of thesurface-side attachment 3740. In the embodiment of FIG. 38, the chargingdevice 3710 is arranged in a portrait orientation relative to adirection of the surface-side attachment 3740.

FIG. 39 is a side view of a stacked arrangement of magnetically-coupledaccessories for a mobile device, according to an embodiment. In theembodiment of FIG. 39 a first accessory device 3910 includes first setof magnets of alternating plurality 3912 positioned proximate the top ofa front surface of the device 3910 and a second set of magnets ofalternating plurality 3914 positioned proximate the bottom of the frontsurface of the device 3910. The first accessory device 3910 alsoincludes third set of magnets of alternating plurality 3916 positionedproximate the top of a back surface of the device 3910 and a fourth setof magnets of alternating plurality 3918 positioned proximate the bottomof the back surface of the device 3910. The first set of magnets ofalternating plurality 3912 are magnetically coupled to a fifth set ofmagnets of alternating plurality 3922 positioned on or within aprotective case 3920 for a mobile device. The second set of magnets ofalternating plurality 3914 are magnetically coupled to a sixth set ofmagnets of alternating plurality 3924 positioned on or within theprotective case 3920. In other embodiments the fifth set of magnets ofalternating plurality 3922 and the sixth set of magnets of alternatingplurality 3924 are embedded within or attached to a mobile device. Thefirst accessory device 3910 may comprise, for example, a battery packwith a wireless charger.

The third set of magnets of alternating plurality 3916 are magneticallycoupled to a seventh set of magnets of alternating plurality 3932positioned on or within a top front portion of a second accessory device3930. The fourth set of magnets of alternating plurality 3918 aremagnetically coupled to an eighth set of magnets of alternatingplurality 3934 positioned on or within a bottom front portion of thesecond accessory device 3930. In one embodiment the second accessorydevice 3930 may further include a ninth set of magnets of alternatingplurality 3938, which may be coupled to, for example, an additionalaccessory device or a surface-side attachment including an additionalplurality of magnets of alternating polarity. In one embodiment thesecond accessory device 3930 may comprise, for example, amagnetically-coupleable wallet defining a compartment of the typedescribed herein.

By utilizing arrangements of pluralities of magnets of alternatingpolarity as described herein, the protective cover 3920, first accessorydevice 3910 and second accessory device 3930 may be automaticallyaligned upon being magnetically coupled to each other. In addition, thestack comprises of the protective cover 3920, first accessory device3910 and second accessory device 3930 may be secured to ferrous metalsurfaces or to other surfaces via use of a surface-side attachmentincluding an additional set of magnets.

It should be understood that in other embodiments the first accessorydevice 3910 and the second accessory device 3930 may comprise variousdifferent magnetically-coupleable accessories for a mobile device. Theseaccessories include, for example, magnetically-coupleable wallets,wireless chargers, battery packs, wireless chargers in combination withbattery packs, kickstands, finger loops, and combinations of any ofthese. In general, these accessories may be configured in a stackedarrangement such as is shown in FIG. 39. However, in certain embodiments(e.g., in embodiments including a magnetically-coupleable kickstand) notall of the accessories will be arranged in a stack.

The following discussion with reference to FIGS. 40-48, describesvarious magnet arrangements which may be utilized within the systems forfacilitating the attachment of add-on devices to mobile devicesdescribed with reference to FIGS. 1-39. See also U.S. Pat. No.10,134,517, the content of which is incorporated by reference herein.

FIG. 40A, 40C, and 40E are perspective views of a surface 1000 with asurface-side attachment 1100 according to an embodiment, and FIGS. 40B,40D, and 40F show front views of the surface-side attachment 110.Surface-side attachment 1100 can include a surface-side attachmenthousing 1300 containing a plurality of magnets 2000. As shown in FIGS.40A and 40B, the surface-side attachment 1100 can include two linearrows, with each linear row containing four individual magnets 2000. Asshown in FIGS. 40C and 40D, the surface-side attachment 1100 can includetwo linear rows, with each linear row containing five individual magnets2000. As shown in FIGS. 40E and 40F, the surface-side attachment 1100can include a single linear row containing five individual magnets 2000.It should be recognized that any number of magnets greater than two canbe used in surface-side attachment 110, and that FIGS. 40A to 40F aremerely exemplary embodiments.

Surface-side attachment housing 1300 is preferably made out of a metalsuch as aluminum, or alternately, it can be made out of polymer or acombination of metal and polymer. Magnets 2000 can be permanently bondedto the surface-side attachment housing 1300 using adhesive or mechanicalfasteners. In one embodiment, the edges of surface-side attachmenthousing 1300 are crimped to retain magnets 2000.

The surface-side attachment 1100 refers to a plurality of magnets 2000coupleable to a surface. Surface-side attachment 1100 can be affixed tosurface 1000 with adhesive or by using a mechanical fastener. Forexample, double-sided adhesive tape can be used to permanently ortemporarily affix surface-side attachment 1100 to surface 1000.Alternatively, adhesive glue can be selected based on the surface 1000characteristics and desired bond characteristics to affix surface-sideattachment 1100 to surface 1000. In one example, the surface-sideattachment 1100 is affixed to the dash of an automobile usingdouble-sided adhesive tape. In another example, the surface-sideattachment 1100 is affixed to the bezel of a computer monitor usingdouble-sided adhesive tape.

Surface 1000 can be any solid surface including nonmagnetic surfaces andnonferrous surfaces. For example, surface 1000 can be polymer, wood,glass, metal and combinations thereof. Generally, nonporous surfacesprovide for greater adhesion of the surface-side attachment 1100, thoughsurface-side attachment 1100 can be bonded to porous surfaces by using asuitable adhesive or mechanical fastener.

FIGS. 41A to 41D are front views of multiple device-side attachments4100 embedded in the interior of a protective case 4300 for anelectronic display device, according to an embodiment. The device-sideattachments 4100 are embedded in the perimeter of the protective case4300 to allow the electronic display device to be hung in either aportrait orientation, as shown in FIG. 41A, or a landscape orientation,as shown in FIG. 41B. As shown in FIGS. 41A and 41B, the device-sideattachments 4100 can include a single linear row containing fiveindividual magnets 5000. As shown in FIGS. 41C and 41D, the device-sideattachment 4100 can include two linear rows, with each linear rowcontaining five individual magnets 500. It should be recognized that anynumber of magnets greater than two can be used in device-side attachment4100, and that FIGS. 41A to 41D are merely exemplary embodiments. Thedevice-side attachment 4100 refers to a plurality of magnets 5000coupleable to an electronic display device.

Protective case 4300 is preferably made out of a polymer, oralternately, it can be made out of metal, cellulosic material, andcombinations thereof. Device-side attachment 4100 can be permanentlyembedded within protective case 4300 or bonded to the protective case4300 using an adhesive. Mechanical fasteners can also be used to securedevice-side attachment 4100 to the protective case 4300, are especiallysuitable for applications with require a high strength connection.

FIGS. 42A to 42D show multiple views of an embodiment of a protectivecase 4300 mounted in a landscape orientation. FIG. 42A is a front viewof multiple device-side attachments 4100 attached to the interior of aprotective case 4300 for an electronic display device that is mounted toa surface 1000. FIG. 42B is a profile view of multiple device-sideattachments 4100 affixed to the interior of a protective case 4300 foran electronic display device that is mounted to a surface 100. FIG. 42Cis a perspective view of multiple device-side attachments 4100 affixedto the interior of a protective case 4300 for an electronic displaydevice that is mounted to a surface 100. FIG. 42D is another perspectiveview of multiple device-side attachments 4100 affixed to the interior ofa protective case 4300 for an electronic display device that is mountedto a surface 1000.

FIGS. 42E to 42F show multiple views of an embodiment of an electronicdisplay device 4000 mounted in a landscape orientation. FIG. 42E is afront view of electronic display device 4000 within a protective case4300 that is mounted to a surface 1000. FIG. 42F is a prospective viewof electronic display device 4000 within a protective case 4300 that ismounted to a surface 1000. FIG. 42G is another prospective view ofelectronic display device 4000 within a protective case 4300 that ismounted to a surface 1000. The mounting system described herein canprovide a temporary method of attaching an electronic display device toa surface while providing a low profile. In other words, when mounted tothe surface, the mounting system does not add significant thickness tothe electronic display device. The device-side attachment 4100 can becoupled in such a way that it does not add significant thickness to theelectronic display device 4000 (see, e.g., FIGS. 42B and 42G). Thesurface-side attachment 1100 can be affixed in such a way that it isintegrated with the styling and design of surface 1000. Surface-sideattachment 1100 can be colored to match the surface 1000 and/or mimicthe features already present on surface 1000. For example, surface-sideattachment 1100 can have a brushed aluminum finish and include magnets2000 that resemble buttons on the dash of a vehicle.

An electronic display device 4000 can include a device-side attachment4100 coupled to a back side of the electronic display device 4000without using a protective case 4300 (not shown). In some embodiments,the magnets 5000 can be coupled to the electronic display device 4000with, for example, a double-sided adhesive tape. Other attachmentmethods such as glues, mechanical latches, hinges, or elastic grip canalternatively be used. The device-side attachment 4100 can be used tomount the electronic display device 4000 to a surface 1000 by couplingwith a surface-side attachment 1100. The electronic display device 4000can be, for example, a tablet computer, a smartphone, a television, oran LCD display. In some embodiments, the electronic display device 4000can be an Apple iPad or iPhone, an Android smartphone, or eBook reader.

In some embodiments, the device-side attachment has a thickness fromabout 0.5 to about 6.5 mm, from about 0.5 to about 4 mm, from about 0.5to about 2 mm, from about 0.5 to about 1.5 mm, or from about 1 to about2 mm, and including all subranges therebetween each of the ranges. Insome embodiments, the device-side attachment has a thickness of about0.5 mm, about 1.0 mm, about 1.5 mm, about 2.0 mm, about 2.5 mm, about3.0 mm, about 3.5 mm, about 4.0 mm, about 4.5 mm, about 5.0 mm, about5.5 mm, about 6.0 mm, or about 6.5 mm. In some embodiments, thedevice-side attachment has a thickness of less than 0.5 mm, less than1.0 mm, less than 1.5 mm, less than 2.0 mm, less than 2.5 mm, less than3.0 mm, less than 3.5 mm, less than 4.0 mm, less than 4.5 mm, less than5.0 mm, less than 5.5 mm, less than 6.0 mm, or less than 6.5 mm.

In some embodiments, the device-side attachment including the protectivecover has a thickness from about 0.5 to about 6.5 mm, from about 0.5 toabout 4 mm, from about 0.5 to about 2 mm, from about 0.5 to about 1.5mm, or from about 1 to about 2 mm, and including all subrangestherebetween each of the ranges. In some embodiments, the device-sideattachment including the protective cover has a thickness of about 0.5mm, about 1.0 mm, about 1.5 mm, about 2.0 mm, about 2.5 mm, about 3.0mm, about 3.5 mm, about 4.0 mm, about 4.5 mm, about 5.0 mm, about 5.5mm, about 6.0 mm, or about 6.5 mm. In some embodiments, the device-sideattachment including the protective cover has a thickness of less than0.5 mm, less than 1.0 mm, less than 1.5 mm, less than 2.0 mm, less than2.5 mm, less than 3.0 mm, less than 3.5 mm, less than 4.0 mm, less than4.5 mm, less than 5.0 mm, less than 5.5 mm, less than 6.0 mm, or lessthan 6.5 mm.

The magnets 5000 of the device-side attachment 4100 are attracted to themagnets 2000 of the surface-side attachment 1100. When the device-sideattachment 4100 is placed in close proximity to the surface-sideattachment 1100, the magnetic attractive forces draw the attachmentstogether to mount electronic display device 400. The magnetic attractiveforces between magnets 5000 and magnets 2000 are great enough toovercome the force of gravity on the electronic display device 4000within the protective case 4300 when mounted to the surface-sideattachment 1100. This force of friction between magnets 5000 and magnets2000 can be proportional to the normal force and friction coefficient ofthe materials. The normal force is the magnetic attractive pull forcebetween the magnets 5000 and magnets 2000. This normal force, inaddition to the friction coefficient between the faces of the magnets,produce an overall force of friction high enough to hold the electronicdisplay device 4000 in place when mounted to the surface 1000.

Magnets 2000 and magnets 5000 are preferably made out of rare earthmetals including alloys of neodymium or samarium-cobalt. Rare earthmagnets are selected based on their strongly magnetic properties thatinclude a higher maximum energy product (related to magnetic flux perunit volume) than other types of magnets including ferrite and alnicomagnets. Neodymium magnets of grade N48 and higher are preferred, andneodymium magnets of grade N52 and higher are more preferred.

The magnets 2000 and the magnets 5000 are permanent magnets that retaintheir magnetic properties once magnetized. Every magnet has a south poleand a north pole axially situated across opposite faces of the magnet.The north pole of a first magnet is attracted to the south pole of asecond magnet, and vice versa. The north pole of a first magnet isrepulsed by the north pole of a second magnet, and vice versa. Thedevice-side attachment 4100 and the surface-side attachment 1100 eachinclude at least one magnet with an outwardly-facing north pole, and atleast one magnet with an outwardly-facing south pole.

Magnets can generally be uniform or different in shape, size, magneticand/or other properties within the device-side attachment 4100 or withinthe surface-side attachment 110. While the device-side attachment 4100and the surface-side attachment 1100 can be somewhat different in shape,size, magnetic and/or other properties, it is preferred that whenmounted, each magnet 5000 in device-side attachment 4100 is uniform inshape, size, magnetic and/or other properties to its complementarymagnet 2000 in surface-side attachment 110. However, the magnets 5000 ofthe device-side attachment 4100 can be smaller than the magnets 2000 ofthe surface-side attachment 1100. It is also preferred that the relativepositions (centerlines) of each magnet 5000 within a device-sideattachment 4100 are the same as the relative positions of eachcomplementary magnet 2000 within the surface-side attachment 1100 whenthe attachments are coupled during mounting.

The magnets 5000 and the magnets 2000 within the device-side attachment4100 and the surface-side attachment 1100 are arranged to beself-aligning during mounting. The magnets 5000 and the magnets 2000 arearranged so that when the attachments are coupled together duringmounting, at least one magnet with an outwardly-facing north pole of thedevice-side attachment 4100 is attracted to a corresponding magnet withan outwardly-facing south pole of the surface-side attachment 1100, andvice versa. If during mounting the magnet with an outwardly-facing northpole of the device-side attachment 4100 lines up with a magnet with anoutwardly-facing north pole of the surface-side attachment 1100, thelike poles repulse each other. If during mounting the magnet with anoutwardly-facing north pole of the device-side attachment 4100 lines upwith a magnet with an outwardly-facing south pole of the surface-sideattachment 1100, the opposite poles attract each other. The magneticforces of attraction and repulsion, along with the predeterminedarrangement of the outwardly-facing poles of the magnets within eachattachment, provide for self-alignment of the coupled attachments.

FIGS. 43A to 43I depict examples of self-aligning arrangements ofoutwardly-facing magnet poles for use in device-side attachments 4100and in surface-side attachments 1100. For each magnet having anoutwardly-facing north pole “N” on a given attachment, the complementaryattachment will have a magnet with outwardly-facing south pole “S”positioned to align when the attachments are coupled. FIGS. 43A, 43F,and 43H are examples of symmetrical self-aligning magnet polearrangements whereby the electronic display device can be mounted ineither of two positions that are 180 degrees of each other. FIGS. 43B to43E, 43G and 43I are examples of asymmetrical self-aligning magnet polearrangements whereby the electronic display device can be mounted inonly one position.

FIGS. 43J to 43L depict examples of self-aligning arrangements ofmagnets for device-side attachments 4100 and for surface-sideattachments 1100 including ferrous inserts “Fe”. Ferrous inserts can beused in device-side attachments 4100 in situations when the positioningof a magnet 5000 would interfere with the operation of the electronicdisplay device 4000. For example, positioning a magnet over the locationof an internal antenna of an electronic display device may interferewith the reception. By placing a ferrous insert within the device-sideattachment 4100, problems associated with reception can be avoided whileallowing the magnets 2000 of the surface-side attachment 1100 a ferroussurface to attractively couple to.

Ferrous inserts can also be used in surface-side attachments 1100 toreduce product costs. Rare earth magnets 2000 tend to be expensive. Asurface-side attachment 1100 that includes at least one magnet with anoutwardly-facing north pole and at least one magnet with anoutwardly-facing south pole can still provide for self-alignment, whileother magnets 2000 in the surface-side attachment 1100 can be replacedwith ferrous inserts that allow the magnets 5000 in the device-sideattachment 4100 a ferrous surface to attractively couple to. Thedevice-side attachment 4100 within the mounting system still retains allof the magnets 5000 and the ability to attractively couple to anyferrous surface. By incorporating the ferrous inserts into thesurface-side attachment 1100, the overall cost of the mounting systemcan be reduced while affording the same level of functionality.

FIG. 44A is a prospective view of three surface-side attachments 1100.In this example, the plurality of magnets is permanently affixed to analuminum housing.

FIG. 44B is a prospective view of a surface-side attachment 1100including three magnets 2000 within a surface-side attachment housing1300. In this example, the plurality of magnets is permanently affixedto an aluminum housing.

FIG. 44C is a front view of a surface-side attachment 1100 includingthree magnets 2000 within a surface-side attachment housing 1300. Inthis example, the plurality of magnets is permanently affixed to analuminum housing.

FIG. 45 is a prospective view of three surface-side attachments 1100.

In some embodiments, the surface-side attachment has a thickness fromabout 0.5 to about 6.5 mm, from about 0.5 to about 4 mm, from about 0.5to about 2 mm, from about 0.5 to about 1.5 mm, or from about 1 to about2 mm, and including all subranges therebetween each of the ranges. Insome embodiments, the surface-side attachment has a thickness of about0.5 mm, about 1.0 mm, about 1.5 mm, about 2.0 mm, about 2.5 mm, about3.0 mm, about 3.5 mm, about 4.0 mm, about 4.5 mm, about 5.0 mm, about5.5 mm, about 6.0 mm, or about 6.5 mm. In some embodiments, thesurface-side attachment has a thickness of less than 0.5 mm, less than1.0 mm, less than 1.5 mm, less than 2.0 mm, less than 2.5 mm, less than3.0 mm, less than 3.5 mm, less than 4.0 mm, less than 4.5 mm, less than5.0 mm, less than 5.5 mm, less than 6.0 mm, or less than 6.5 mm.

FIG. 46 is a prospective view of a surface-side attachment 1100including five magnets 2000 and a surface-side attachment housing 1300further including an angled face. The angled face of surface-sideattachment 1100 can provide increased coupling strength by the angledface supporting a portion of the weight of the electronic display device400. The angled face can also improve the coupling strength of themounting system by positioning the lower end of the electronic displaydevice 4000 against the surface 1000 which reduces the tendency of theelectronic display device 4000 to rotate about the bottom edge ofsurface-side attachment 1100 and separate from the top edge ofsurface-side attachment 1100.

FIG. 47 is a prospective view of a surface-side attachment 1100including seven magnets 2000 within a surface-side attachment housing1300.

FIG. 48 is a prospective view of a surface-side attachment 1100including seven magnets 2000 within a surface-side attachment housing1300.

As may be appreciated from FIGS. 40-48, a self-aligning mounting systemfor mounting an electronic display device to a surface or attached theelectronic display device to an object (e.g., a magnetically-coupleablewallet) may include a device-side attachment containing a firstplurality of magnets disposed in a protective cover for the electronicdisplay device. The first plurality of magnets includes at least onemagnet with an outwardly-facing north pole of a magnet and at least onemagnet with an outwardly-facing south pole. The protective cover caninclude a high friction surface covering the first plurality of magnets.The mounting system also includes a surface-side attachment thatincludes a second plurality of magnets disposed in a housing andconfigured to attach to the surface; alternatively, the second pluralityof magnets are disposed within or upon an object to which the electronicdisplay device is to be attached. The second plurality of magnetsincludes at least one magnet with an outwardly-facing north pole and atleast one magnet with an outwardly-facing south pole. The at least oneoutwardly-facing north pole of the first plurality of magnets isarranged to attractively couple with the at least one outwardly-facingsouth pole of the second plurality of magnets. The at least oneoutwardly-facing south pole of the first plurality of magnets isarranged to couple with the at least one outwardly-facing north pole ofthe second plurality of magnets. The high friction surface covering thefirst plurality of magnets is configured to be disposed between thefirst plurality of magnets when coupled to the second plurality ofmagnets.

In one implementation, a mounting system for mounting an electronicdisplay device to a surface or attaching the electronic display to anobject includes a protective case defining an interior surfaceconforming to an exterior surface of an electronic display device. Afirst plurality of magnets contacts the protective case and configuredto couple to the electronic display device. The first plurality ofmagnets including at least one magnet with an outwardly-facing northpole and at least one magnet with an outwardly-facing south pole. The atleast one magnet with an outwardly-facing north pole of the firstplurality of magnets is arranged to couple with at least one magnet withan outwardly-facing south pole of a second plurality of magnets includedwithin a surface-side attachment attached to the surface or includedwithin or upon the object. The at least one magnet with anoutwardly-facing south pole of the first plurality of magnets isarranged to couple with at least one magnet with an outwardly-facingnorth pole of the second plurality of magnets.

The first plurality of magnets and the second plurality magnets may bemade from rare earth metals. The rare earth metals may include alloys ofneodymium or samarium-cobalt. The first plurality of magnets and thesecond plurality magnets can be grade N48 or higher. The first pluralityof magnets and the second plurality magnets may each comprise two linearrows of magnets.

The first plurality of magnets may be affixed to the interior of theprotective cover. The first plurality of magnets may be embedded in theprotective cover or the protective case. The first plurality of magnetsis affixed to an exterior surface of the protective cover or theprotective case. The protective cover may include a high frictionsurface covering the first plurality of magnets.

The shear force between the surface-side attachment and the device-sideattachment may be in a direction substantially parallel to the firstoutward face and parallel to the second outward face. The shear forcemay be a direction perpendicular to an attractive force between thefirst plurality of magnets and the second plurality of magnets.

While various embodiments have been described above, it should beunderstood that they have been presented by way of example only, and notlimitation. For example, wallet 100 and charging device 500 could be anyaccessory including a combination of a wallet and a batter pack. Alsofor example, the surface-side attachment 300 can be attached to anysurface such as a wall, computer monitor, inside a backpack, vehicleheadrest, refrigerator, etc., not just a vehicle dashboard 400. Wheremethods described above indicate certain events occurring in certainorder, the ordering of certain events may be modified. Additionally,certain of the events may be performed concurrently in a parallelprocess when possible, as well as performed sequentially as describedabove.

Where schematics and/or embodiments described above indicate certaincomponents arranged in certain orientations or positions, thearrangement of components may be modified. While the embodiments havebeen particularly shown and described, it will be understood thatvarious changes in form and details may be made. Any portion of theapparatus and/or methods described herein may be combined in anycombination, except mutually exclusive combinations. The embodimentsdescribed herein can include various combinations and/orsub-combinations of the functions, components, and/or features of thedifferent embodiments described.

What is claimed is:
 1. A wireless charging system, comprising: aprotective case for a mobile device configured for wireless charging,the protective case including a first plurality of magnets; a wirelesscharger having a first front side and a first back side, the wirelesscharger further including a charging pad and a second plurality ofmagnets on the first front side wherein the second plurality of magnetsare magnetically coupled to the first plurality of magnets; wherein thefirst plurality of magnets and the second plurality of magnets arearranged so that the wireless charger self-aligns in a desired positionwhen attached to the protective case and transmits energy through theprotective case into the mobile device.
 2. The system of claim 1 whereinthe first plurality magnets are arranged around coils of the wirelesscharger when the wireless charger is attached to the protective case. 3.The system of claim 1 wherein the protective case may be configured inone of a landscape orientation and a portrait orientation relative tothe wireless charger.
 4. The system of claim 1 wherein the firstplurality of magnets are embedded within the protective case.
 5. Thesystem of claim 1 wherein at least a first magnet of the first pluralityof magnets is attracted to a corresponding second magnet of the secondplurality of magnets.
 6. The system of claim 1 wherein at least a firstmagnet of the first plurality of magnets having an outwardly-facingnorth pole is attracted to a corresponding magnet of the secondplurality of magnets having an outwardly-facing south pole.
 7. Awireless charging system, comprising: a protective case for a mobiledevice having coils for wireless charging, the protective case includinga first plurality of alternating polarity magnets; a wireless chargerhaving a first front side and a first back side, the wireless chargerfurther having coils and a second plurality of alternating polaritymagnets on the first front side wherein the second plurality ofalternating polarity magnets are magnetically coupled to the firstplurality of alternating polarity magnets; wherein the first pluralityof alternating polarity magnets and the second plurality of alternatingpolarity magnets are arranged so that when the wireless charger becomesconnected to the protective case the coils of the wireless charger alignwith the coils of the mobile device so that energy may be transmittedthrough the protective case and into the mobile device.
 8. The system ofclaim 1 wherein a distance L between the coils of the wireless chargerand the second plurality of alternating polarity magnets issubstantially identical to a distance L′ between the coils of the mobiledevice and the first plurality of alternating polarity magnets when themobile device is disposed within the protective case.
 9. The system ofclaim 7 further including: a third plurality of alternating polaritymagnets on the first back side; an accessory device having a secondfront side and a second back side, the accessory device having a fourthplurality of alternating polarity magnets on the second front side and afifth plurality of alternating polarity magnets on the second back sidewherein the fourth plurality of alternating polarity magnets aremagnetically coupled to the third plurality of alternating polaritymagnets.
 10. The system of claim 7 wherein the second plurality ofmagnets are configured to mirror an arrangement of the first pluralityof magnets.
 11. The system of claim 7 wherein the first plurality ofmagnets are embedded within the protective case.
 12. A case apparatus,comprising: a protective case configured to contain a mobile deviceconfigured for wireless charging; a first plurality of magnets includedwithin the protective case wherein the first plurality of magnets areconfigured to be magnetically coupled to a second plurality of magnetsof a wireless charger so that the wireless charger self-aligns in adesired position when magnetically attached to the protective case, thefirst plurality of magnets being arranged so as to be disposed around aperiphery of a charging pad of the wireless device when the wirelesscharger is magnetically attached to the protective case.
 13. The caseapparatus of claim 12 wherein the protective case may be configured inone of a landscape orientation and a portrait orientation relative tothe wireless charger.
 14. The case apparatus of claim 12 wherein atleast a first magnet of the first plurality of magnets is attracted to acorresponding second magnet of the second plurality of magnets.
 15. Acase apparatus, comprising: a protective case configured to contain amobile device having coils for wireless charging; a first plurality ofalternating polarity magnets included within the protective case, thefirst plurality of magnets being arranged within the protective case sothat when the mobile device is disposed within the protective case thefirst plurality of magnets are disposed around a periphery of the coils;wherein the first plurality of alternating polarity magnets are arrangedso that when the protective case becomes connected to a wireless chargerhaving a second plurality of alternating polarity magnets, the coils ofthe mobile device align with coils of the wireless charger align with sothat energy may be transmitted through the protective case and into themobile device to recharge a battery of the mobile device.
 16. The caseapparatus of claim 15 wherein a distance L between the coils of thewireless charger and the second plurality of alternating polaritymagnets is substantially identical to a distance L′ between the coils ofthe mobile device and the first plurality of alternating polaritymagnets when the mobile device is disposed within the protective case.17. The case apparatus of claim 15 wherein the second plurality ofmagnets are configured to mirror an arrangement of the first pluralityof magnets.